The exhibition “Nature and German History: Faith, Biology, Power” spans 900 years of history across 1,000 square meters.
Image gallery
Natur und deutsche Geschichte. Glaube – Biologie – Macht
The scope ranges from Hildegard von Bingen’s concept of “viriditas”—the green creative force—in the 12th century to the early anti-nuclear movement in Wyhl and the differing concepts of nature in both Germanys in the late 20th century.
The co-opting of what was purported to be “natural” was also one of the ideological foundations of the Nazi dictatorship, which sought to bring both “external” and “internal nature” under its definitional power and control through a myriad of laws. The “Nuremberg Laws” and the “Reich Nature Conservation Act” were enacted in the same year: 1935.
Through 10–12 stations, the exhibition presents events or developments in which the concept of nature was strikingly altered or shaped.
The project takes a broad look at the changing meaning and conceptualization of “nature” and highlights it as a political factor in German history.
It traces the historical stages of this transformation, as well as the politicization and instrumentalization of the concept of nature in German history.
- Who defines what counts as nature?
- Who has access to it?
- How does the understanding of what constitutes inner and outer nature change?
- And what happens when unforeseen events occur that require political action?
The exhibition is curated by Prof. Dr. Julia Voss.
Additional information
Hours of Operation
- Mon–Wed: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Thu: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Fri–Sun: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
